Looking back on 2018 one of the significant highlights was the publication of the long awaited Pot Lid book. Thanks to Bob Jim and Paul for their dedication in collating by far the best UK and overseas reference book on the subject. It is significant in many ways but what touched me most was the way in which the hobby has embraced and supported the project. The acknowledgements read like a who’s who in the bottle world so everyone involved deserves a pat on the back.

The Book was launched at the UK National and I was one of many who had their hardback signed. As I write now the hardback has sold out, (only limited to 250 copies). If you think you have mossed out don’t dispair you can still obtain a soft copy.

The Dorset section has the known examples, including fragment’s of lids, from the County. Thanks to the Dorset Club members who helped in gathering the pictures for the Chapter. This gathering of information and pictured was echoed through the UK regions.

I joked with Bob as to what he was going to do next? He said that since the printing of the book a few more variations have come to light, which is typical! Therefore a supplement is planed to be printed when they get to a reasonable number of straglers. So if you have any let them know.

The Club was in Festive mood and threw an American supper and Christmas raffle. Some members put on some displays along with the competitions making a really good festive bash.

Displays

Stunning Local trade cards

The Ointment comp entry brought out pretty well all of the known local’s The Dr Roberts ‘Poor Mans Friend’ pots won being the early 1800’s pre Beach and Barnicot versions very few known to have survived.

Mike had just bought a job lot of bottles his dilema which ones to keep and which the re home? an problem which all of us face from time to time as space runs out.

Difficult to choose the best Hamilton Codd Hybrid Mineral.

A couple of granades

Some real estate in the inks.

A few dug item like the miniture Zara seal.

The dispersal of an estate of a cream pot collector up country was one of the worst kept secrets of 2018 most bottleo’s and Cream pot collectors found out . I bet the provincial auction house was a tad surprised on the number of non regulars who appeared and the reliasation of the collection to say the least. There were a lot of repaired pots in the collection but some rare old pots. A few found of our local ones found their way back to Dorset as evidenced by the best bought catagory. Well done guys!

It was good to see Graham Day re-join the club and he brought a few of his GB’s for us to see. Notice the tan Hope and Co Boscombe a new one to add to the record.